CRICKET: Survival the aim for Weymouth, says Kieron Womble

SURVIVAL will be the priority for Weymouth this season, according to the club’s new first XI captain Kieron Womble.

The Seasiders were staring relegation in the face after finishing the last campaign in the bottom two of the Dorset League’s top flight.

However, Winton’s decision to quit the league meant Weymouth earned a reprieve and start this term in the new-look Premier League One.

And Womble, who has taken over from Matt Lawes as skipper, is keen for his team to make the most of their stay of execution.

“We were due to go down but Winton pulled out and because we were second from bottom last season we were lucky enough to stay in the top division,” he said.

“In the last couple of years we have been in and around the bottom of the table, so the main aim this summer is to stay in the top league.

“We are looking to play ‘no fear’ cricket, like we did towards the end of last season when we won our last two games.

“We need to keep that momentum going and everyone is looking forward to it, we just want to start playing as soon as we can.”

However, the fixture computer couldn’t have come up with a tougher opening game for Womble’s men tomorrow – they face the unenviable task of travelling to reigning league champions Parley.

Commenting on his first league match as captain, and the outlook at the club in general, he added: “It doesn’t get much tougher than Parley, but we’ve got to play them some time and maybe playing them first isn’t too bad.

“Preparations have been going really well and people at the club are working hard behind the scenes to get the community involved in cricket.

“We’ve had a few players returning to the club, like Neil Walton, and we’ve had a big boost in youth players which will be one of our main focuses.

“The second team struggled at the start of last season and lost their first six games.

“We are trying to promote the youth players in the seconds with the help of some experienced players in there as well.

“The club has a really good committee in place and it looks quite healthy at the moment.”

Weymouth Seconds get their Division Two campaign under way next Saturday at Bourne-mouth Thirds.